St Petersburg Palace Square (Dvortsovaya Ploshchad) Tours

36 Reviews

Palace Square is
the central square of St. Petersberg, which conjoins some of the city’s
major landmarks and monuments, including most famously the Winter
Palace. Because it is so spacious it regularly functions as the grounds
for national parades, bards, and concerts. In the past, square has been
transformed during the winter months to become a free ice rink.

Palace
square was also the setting for some of Russia’s most significant
historical events including the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and the
1905 massacre Bloody Sunday, where peaceful protesters were gunned down
while trying to present Tsar Nicholas II with a petition .

Although
the buildings surrounding the square were built in different eras, they
were all built to scale, giving the square a beauty in symmetry.

Practical Info

The square is a single architectural ensemble, in
the northern boundary is the Winter Palace, to the south the General
Staff building, a two story arch mounted by the chariot of victory, and
installed in the center is the 156 feet (47.5 m) high and 500 ton
granite Alexander Column. It also connects key city areas such as Nevsky
Prospekt and Palace bridge, which leads into Vasilievsky Island.

As Palace Square is considered one of the
biggest hubs in the city, it is easily accessible by the metro to
Admiralty and by other modes of transportation at Nevsky Prospekt.

Explore St. Petersburg by land and water on a private 3.5-hour canal cruise and walking tour. With a personal guide, join a public boat to see the ‘Venice of the North’ from its waterways. Pass bridges and landmarks like the Winter Palace and Peter and Paul Fortress as you learn about their history. Then, take a private walking tour around central St. Petersburg, admiring St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church on the Spilled Blood, and more.

Explore St Petersburg when your cruise ship is in port on this shore excursion that includes city sightseeing, a river cruise and hydrofoil boat ride. See top attractions like the Winter Palace, the Hermitage and the Church on Spilled Blood; enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Neva River to admire the city from the water; and travel along the Gulf of Finland by hydrofoil boat to Peterhof. You’ll see the best of the city in one day with transportation by van from the port.

Discover the best that St. Petersburg has to offer on this half-day small-group tour. Visit the city’s key landmarks such as the Hermitage Museum, Peter and Paul’s Fortress, Smolny Cathedral, the Nevsky Project, and St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Admire the elaborate architecture as you learn about the history and culture of the city on guided tours.

Give St. Petersburg’s architectural treasures the attention they deserve on a full-day walking tour, with a private guide all to yourself. Traveling by foot and metro (own expense), experience all the must-sees and some lesser-known landmarks of the city center. Take in Palace Square and the Hermitage and Winter Palace; see the Church of the Spilled Blood, and stroll down Nevsky Prospekt and river banks to see palaces, cathedrals, bridges, and more.

See and enjoy St Petersburg your own way on a private, fully customizable 3-hour trip with an expert local guide and all logistics pre-planned. Choose a pre-determined itinerary or your own personalized sightseeing program that reflects your personal interests in history, art, food or culture. See top St Petersburg attractions such as St Isaac’s Cathedral, Church on the Spilled Blood, Palace Square and more, or leave the beaten track with insider recommendations from your knowledgeable guide — it’s completely down to you. Entrance fees, food and drinks at your own expense.

Check out St Petersburg’s must-see sights on a 4-hour private tour by air-conditioned car or minivan. Enjoy the famous city views from the Spit on Basil Island, and admire landmarks such as Kazan Cathedral and Yusupov Palace. Gain insight into St Petersburg’s place in Russia’s royal and revolutionary history from an expert driver-guide; and stop for photos at Palace Square, St Isaac's Square and other hotspots. Along the way, stop to visit one of the city’s churches and stroll on part of the Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main avenue.

Enjoy a private sightseeing tour of St Petersburg, then spend some time shopping for souvenirs. This specialized excursion brings both popular activities together into one overall itinerary. First, see some of the city's top attractions via private vehicle including the onion-domed Church on the Spilled Blood, the Bronze Horseman and magnificent Palace Square. Then embark on a separate shopping outing complete with an English-speaking guide will can point out the best places for purchasing everything from locally manufactured porcelain to caviar and chocolate.

Witness many of St Petersburg’s signature sights on a private, 4-hour city tour with a private guide. As you travel by air-conditioned vehicle, hear about St Petersburg’s history and admire Palace Square, and the skyline from the River Neva. Skip the lines at the Peter and Paul Fortress; visit the imperial tombs in its cathedral; pass the Church on Spilled Blood; and enjoy priority access to St Isaac’s Cathedral and its colonnade. Lastly, enjoy a complimentary same-day tour of the Faberge Museum, home to a collection of exquisite Fabergé-designed eggs.

Explore the former imperial city of Russia on a full-day private walking tour. Walk around St. Petersburg’s historic city center and see landmarks including St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Peter and Paul Fortress, and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Listen to commentary from your guide about the rich history of Russia as you wander through the city streets and use the beautiful underground system.

Experience the vast cultural offerings of the 'Venice of the North' on a 3-hour walking tour. Delve into St Petersburg's unique 300+ year history as you explore its squares―including Palace Square, the heart of the city―visit the Bronze Horseman and marvel at the massive dome atop St Isaac's, once the largest cathedral in Russia. Then pay a visit to one of the local metro stations―works of art within themselves―for a ride to Peter and Paul Fortress, where the city itself was born.

Get to know the 'Venice of the North' on a private full-day tour of St Petersburg, complete with skip-the-line Hermitage entry. Start with a sightseeing overview of the city, stopping at such landmarks as Peter and Paul Fortress―the birthplace of St Petersburg―St Isaac's Cathedral, Palace Square and the onion-domed Church on the Spilled Blood. Enjoy lunch at a traditional Russian restaurant (optional), then set out for a visit to the Hermitage Museum―home to the planet's largest collections of paintings, including works by iconic artists like Monet, Rembrandt and van Gogh.

Visit St. Petersburg’s State Hermitage Museum in the morning, then see the gardens and fountains of Peterhof Grand Palace. The daytime tour kicks off with early admission to the renowned museum so you can see works by Leonardo da Vinci and other famous artists without the crowds that appear later in the day. You’ll relax with transport between the two attractions by hydrofoil boat, then wander amid the grandiose cascades of Peter the Great’s gardens.

Glide through St Petersburg in a beautiful Soviet-era car on a 4-hour private panoramic tour. Hop inside a gleaming, vintage auto with a private guide and separate driver, and admire the landmarks from the comfort of your head-turning classic. See Palace Square and the Bronze Horseman statue of Peter the Great; admire the sights along the River Neva; and enjoy photo stops at must-sees such as Kazan Cathedral and the former KGB headquarters. Tell your guide if you want to tailor your itinerary — it’s customizable to your interests.

Immerse yourself in local culture with a walking tour of St Petersburg and a guided tour of the city's vast Hermitage museum. Explore this 'Venice of the North's' top attractions: marvel at the impressive dome atop St Isaac's Cathedral, stroll along the great people-watching corridor of Nevsky Prospect and learn how St Petersburg came to be at Peter and Paul Fortress, the city's birthplace. Once inside the Hermitage enjoy access to hundreds of thousands of incredible artworks, including some by Monet, da Vinci, Goya, Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

Avoid the crowds at the Hermitage on this evening tour. Admire the Art Nouveau and Impressionist art and learn about art history and the collection from your guide. Stop by the ornate Faberge exhibition. Enjoy the time and space to explore the museum in a small group, without the daytime crowds.

Be introduced to St Petersburg’s sights by your own private guide on this 3-hour tour. Exploring by foot, see top St Petersburg attractions such as Palace Square, the Winter Palace and the Bronze Horseman statue of Peter Great, the city’s founder. Stroll along the Nevsky Prospekt and visit three must-see cathedrals, including St Isaac’s and the extravagant Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood. Tailor your itinerary to your interests, and, as you explore, hear tales of Peter the Great, the Romanovs and the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution from your guide.

See the best of St Petersburg on a 3-hour private panoramic tour. Settle inside an air-conditioned, private vehicle with a driver and guide, and admire the landmarks from your comfortable seat. Hear intriguing history from your guide as you pass sights like Palace Square, the Bronze Horseman statue of Peter the Great, and more. Absorb the city skyline from the riverbanks, drive along Nevsky Prospekt and stop for photos at the prettiest sights. If you wish, let your guide know what you want to see; your itinerary is flexible.

Scavenger Hunt is a travel activity where you find interesting places and capture them in a form of a game. Scavenger Hunt in St Petersburg is a unique tour you take with a guide to hidden treasures. Explore them and overcome exciting challenges.

Experience the best of St Petersburg, dubbed the ‘Paris of the East,’ on a private 4-hour city tour. Traveling by private vehicle with an informed guide, pause for photos of landmarks including the spectacular Winter Palace and St Isaac’s Cathedral. Chart the city’s tsarist past as you see highlights such as the Bronze Horseman and Peter and Paul Fortress, and stroll along Nevsky Prospekt, the monument-lined main street, planned by Peter the Great. Your itinerary is flexible, so feel free to ask your guide to tailor it around your interests.

As the former capital of the Russian Empire, St Petersburg is full of magnificent palaces, historic monuments, and famous sites. This private tour lets you explore at your own pace and experience Russian culture along the way. Visit sights such as the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Peter and Paul Fortress, and the Field of Mars; sample traditional Russian dishes and craft beers; and stop at the Summer Garden, Palace Square, and St. Isaac Cathedral.

During the cold months, St. Petersburg transforms into a winter wonderland—and this cozy walking tour is the perfect way to discover its festive side. Meet your guide in central St. Petersburg in the morning; as this is a private tour, you’ll enjoy a personalized way to explore. Begin your walk with a warming herbal tea, and set off to discover the city’s snowy scenes, holiday decorations, and famed landmarks. You’ll also enjoy traditional Russian treats as you go.

Travelers interested in art, architecture, and history will love this tout of the Hermitage with an art historian guide. As well as touring the vast art collection in the former Winter Palace building, you’ll be told all about the historical and architectural significance of the surrounding buildings on your walk there. This is an ideal way to get the most out of a visit to the historical heart of St. Petersburg.

Follow your in-the-know guide down some of St. Petersburg's lesser-known side streets to discover the hidden history that many visitors miss. During this 2-hour walking tour, visit some of the city's highlights, such as Stroganov Palace, Palace Square, St. Isaac's Cathedral, and Gostiny Dvor. Pickup and drop-off at St. Petersburg hotels included (on foot). If you have time, upgrade to the 3-hour tour and see even more of St. Petersburg.